Core Viewpoint - The upgrade of the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Station marks a significant milestone in China's hydropower sector, showcasing advancements in domestic technology and intelligent operations, and setting a benchmark for future projects [1][8]. Group 1: Equipment Upgrade and Performance Improvement - The Xiangjiaba Hydropower Station will complete a comprehensive upgrade by May 31, 2025, becoming the first major hydropower station to achieve this during the 14th Five-Year Plan [1]. - The upgrade includes the replacement of all eight 800,000 kW turbine generator units with domestically produced control systems, enhancing operational independence and precision [2]. - The efficiency of the turbine units improved from 94.65% to 94.95%, with operational stability extended from 70%-100% to 60%-100% of full load [4]. Group 2: Intelligent Reconstruction and Technological Innovations - A data-driven center will be established to integrate data from 72 independent systems, enabling health monitoring, fault warning, and intelligent scheduling [5]. - The introduction of a hybrid black start technology allows the plant to restore power in just 4 minutes and 28 seconds during outages, setting a new industry standard [6]. Group 3: Economic and Environmental Benefits - The hydropower station's output is expected to increase by 9.39% year-on-year in Q1 2025, with an annual projection of 30 billion kWh, sufficient to power 800,000 households [7]. - The upgrade will replace approximately 14 million tons of coal annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 25 million tons and SO2 emissions by 300,000 tons, contributing to carbon neutrality goals [7]. Group 4: Industry Demonstration and Strategic Value - The upgrade serves as a model for global hydropower, promoting domestic technology leadership and innovation in the industry [8]. - The coordinated operation with other major hydropower stations has resulted in a 9.35% increase in total output in Q1 2025, enhancing electricity security in East and Central China [8]. - The project also supports ecological initiatives, including the release of 70,000 rare fish and facilitating significant cargo transport, thereby integrating ecological and navigational benefits [8].